I Searched for Justice, but Found LoveSample

Forgive, why? (1)

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)

God instructs us to forgive. Not lightly, but for a number of obvious reasons.

1. Forgiveness sets you free. Imagine that something has been done to you that makes you angry and sad and that forgiveness could only happen when the other person admits the wrong and asks for forgiveness. If that didn't happen now, you would be stuck with negative feelings toward that person for the rest of your life. Anger and sadness could just turn into bitterness. That’s not what God wants for you: He gives you freedom.

2. Forgiveness is a prelude to reconciliation. What could be more beautiful than when the other person comes and admits his mistake and you can say, "What you did hurt me. But I have already forgiven you.” Instead of having become so bitter that you send the other person away and can't or don't want to know about reconciliation.

3. Forgiveness prevents "blaming" someone who had nothing to do with the problem. Emotions have to come out whether we want them to or not. Sometimes emotions come out physically in the form of pain and psychosomatic symptoms. At other times we unconsciously take it out on the people we meet.

God has your physical and spiritual well-being in mind, so the command to forgive is very important.